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First America lecture series continues ... with pirates

Swashbuckling pirates make their appearance tonight at 7 p.m. for the latest lecture in the First America: Legacies of La Florida series in the Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada St.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for lobby exhibits, demonstrations, books sales and Passport stamping for those taking part in the series.

Speakers include Pat Croce, an internationally known pirate specialist and once partner with director Steven Spielberg for the motion picture "Blackbeard," and maritime archaeologist and diver Brendan Burke.

Adding their own dash will be local pirate re-enactor Brian Bowman and his crew, who recreate the experiences from Searle's Raid in 1668 in St. Augustine.

The Discover First America series celebrates the city's 450th commemoration, 2013-2015. All programs are free and are held in the Flagler College Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

The series continues with the following programs:

* Jan. 7 -- "The British are Coming!," presenting Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson (through the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation), John Stavely as Jesse Fish and the British Night Watch.

* April 13 -- "Palaces in Paradise: Flagler's Age of Opulence," with Tom Graham, professor emeritus of history, Flagler College; John Blades, executive director of Flagler Museum; and a special "Conversation with Henry Flagler," with Flagler played by Tom Rahner and Mayor Joe Boles as himself.

* May 18 -- "Road to Freedom: African-Americans in Florida," by Derek Hankerson and James Bullock, both actors and creative directors.